Part of the welcoming committee to the San Diego Air & Space Museum is San Diego’s own Convair YF2Y-1 Sea Dart. In the 1950s, the United States Navy was exploring the idea of a supersonic water-based fighter that could operate in sheltered water areas. Five Sea Darts were built by Convair in San Diego, and they were outfitted with retractable hydro-skis and a delta wing. It was also the first supersonic seaplane in the world. However, only three were flown, starting in 1953 in San Diego Bay. By the time a pilot crashed one over San Diego Bay and was killed in 1954, the Navy lost interest in the seaplane fighter program and the Sea Dart was relegated to experimental status. Our Sea Dart, which was the third and last to be flown, was donated by Convair in 1963 and was moved to the front of the museum in 1984. Have you ever seen a Sea Dart before?